Medtronic reported fourth quarter revenue dropped 26 percent during the pandemic, hitting $6 billion. Full year earnings were in line with the guidance the company provided on April 21 to account for losses due to the postponement or cancellation of elective procedures around the world. By Laura Dyrda - 5/21/20

With out-of-state patients representing about 50 percent of his caseload, Richard Berger, MD, has revamped protocols "to ensure safety and limit exposure." By Angie Stewart - 5/20/20

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital is on course to finish a 150,000-square-foot expansion that will bolster its spine and orthopedic services, Community Impact reports. By Alan Condon - 5/20/20

Swedish spinal device manufacturer OrtoWay unveiled May 20 design improvements to extend the clinical usage of its hydraulically powered system for spine surgery. By Alan Condon - 5/20/20

Here are six key notes on orthopedic and spine device companies from the past week: By Eric Oliver - 5/20/20

Sports medicine surgeon Brian Cole, MD, was installed as president of the Arthroscopy Association of North America for the 2020-21 term, according to a May 18 announcement. By Angie Stewart - 5/20/20

Smith+Nephew on May 20 launched the Journey II unicompartmental knee system. By Alan Condon - 5/20/20

The European Commission recently approved Zolgensma, Novartis' $2.1 million gene therapy drug for spinal muscular atrophy, for infants and children up to 46 pounds. By Alan Condon - 5/20/20

Neurosurgeon Jeffrey Gross, MD, has been selected to serve as chairperson volunteer medical liaison for the Newport Beach (Calif.) Covid Safe Commerce Task Force, KTVN reports. By Alan Condon - 5/20/20

Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center is the first hospital in Arkansas to use the ExcelsiusGPS robotic spine navigation system, thecabin.net reports. By Eric Oliver - 5/20/20

Dubois, Pa.-based Penn Highlands Healthcare is beginning construction on a multistory building that will house The Brain and Spine Center and an orthopedic Center of Excellence, Connect FM radio reports. By Alan Condon - 5/20/20

Vero Beach, Fla.-based Vero Orthopaedics & Neurology recently restarted elective surgeries. By Alan Condon - 5/20/20

Eight spine surgeons discuss how the pandemic will affect spine in ASCs, addressing patient selection, payer issues and the potential for acceleration in the future. By Laura Dyrda - 5/20/20

Orthobiologics company Cerapedics published data from a clinical trial examining the fusion rate of its i-Factor bone graft in noninstrumented lumbar fusion. By Alan Condon - 5/19/20

Fort Worth (Texas) Brain and Spine Institute recently partnered with eMDs, which provides EHR, practice management and revenue cycle management solutions for medical practices. By Alan Condon - 5/19/20

NuVasive's radiation reduction device LessRay recently won the "Best New Imaging Technology Solution" honor at the 2020 MedTech Breakthrough Awards.   By Alan Condon - 5/19/20

Here's how Medtronic, Stryker and Johnson & Johnson's shares have fluctuated over the last five days. By Eric Oliver - 5/19/20

The number of spine surgeries performed at hospitals in the U.S. decreased 45 percent from March 1 to April 15, compared to the same period in 2019, Axios reports. By Alan Condon - 5/19/20

Medtronic on May 19 launched the Kyphon Assist Directional Cannula for balloon kyphoplasty procedures. By Alan Condon - 5/19/20

Orthopedic device manufacturer Implanet entered into exclusive negotiations May 18 to sell its Madison total knee implant. By Alan Condon - 5/19/20